Caernarfon Notice to Mariners – COVID-19
Dear Harbour Users.
Given the developing national situation and following the Prime Ministers announcement on the 23/3/20.
As the movement surrounding pleasure vessels would be designated as non-essential. Ymddiriedolaeth Harbwr Caernarfon Harbour Trust (YHCHT) are now putting the prime Ministers mandate into action. Access to all Moorings and Berths within the Harbour limits is now prohibited. Access points have been locked, and will remain locked until further notice.
The Yacht compound will also be locked accordingly.
The Harbour team will remain available, but of course, will not be available to members of the public or Harbour users to contact. We will, whilst possible or permitted undertake regular inspections and of course endeavour to safeguard what we can.
The Dock Masters office will not be manned until further notice.
To date the Harbour Office will be manned and routine enquirers can still made through the usual telephone number and email addresses.
In Emergencies the first contact should be made directly to 07483 072850.
I appreciate that this will be a difficult task to administer. However we are committed to doing our part in the preservation of life and respectfully request that we all do the same by limiting our movements to essential only.
With the new season just about to start I am sure there will be a lot of difficult thoughts regarding the future use of your pride and joys. There will be more updates as things develop, now is a time of pulling together in a unified approach to tackle this threat.
Difficult decisions and difficult measures are nationally required to protect lives. When our own life, the life of our friends, family and colleges are on one end of the balance these decision become much easier to make.
Stay safe
David John O’Neill
Harbour Master Caernarfon.
The government policy is to deter people coming together in groups which could happen from unnecessary journeys to points where they may gather.
A local person in Caernarfon going to his boat and and using it on his own would not be breaching the government advice. This therefore appears to be an over reaction by the harbour authority.
The Government advice is very clear, allowing you to leave the house under these circumstances only:
The full Government advice is available here
I agree the government guidelines are clear and of course have to be kept as straightforward as possible and can’t cover every activity.
An “exercise” walk to the boat would be permitted. If this then included a trip out in the boat on one’s own it would not in anyway increase the risk of spreading the virus and I think would be within the intention of the guidelines. There seems to be a feeling abroad that people can go out as long as they don’t enjoy themselves.